Jacoby Jones re-signs with Baltimore Ravens

Jacoby Jones is one of the most dynamic return men in all of football. (Robert Beck/SI)

The Baltimore Ravens still need to find a No. 2 receiver to pair with Torrey Smith, but they did manage to keep a key role player in that corps. The Ravens announced that they have re-signed Super Bowl XLVIII hero Jacoby Jones to a four-year contract worth $14 million, with $4.5 million guaranteed.

Jones has been more valuable for the Ravens as a return man than as a receiver, though he has averaged 33.5 catches over his two seasons with the team. The 29-year-old Jones averaged 28.8 yards per kick return and 12.5 per punt return last season. As far as the actual offense goes, he's ideally suited for a spot deeper down the depth chart -- No. 4 or 5 at receiver, with the ability to help Joe Flacco when Baltimore wants to spread the field.

He was pressed into slightly more duty than that last season as Baltimore tried to piece together a consistent offense. Minus tight end Dennis Pitta and with a stumbling ground game, the whole picture never really clicked into place.

Baltimore did receive a surprising contribution from Marlon Brown, who caught 49 passes for 524 yards and seven touchdowns, all numbers that bested Jones' totals (37 receptions for 455 yards and two TDs). Should the depth chart stay as is, Brown, Deonte Thompson, restricted free agent Tandon Doss and Aaron Mellette all would have an opportunity to climb over Jones in the passing game pecking order.

The Ravens, though, would prefer that some improvements are made there between now and Week 1, be it through another free-agent signing or in the draft.

Grade: B. There are no tricks up Jones' sleeves. He is what he is -- a speedy deep threat who remains one of the better return guys in all of football. Baltimore likely did not overpay here on account of being familiar with Jones' skillset, so retaining him at a reasonable price was a sensible move.